Thursday, June 17, 2010

Storybook Cottage

South Pasadena's classic California Craftsman houses get most of the attention, but sprinkled among them are cozy little gems like this. I don't know if this classifies as true Storybook design, but it sure looks like happily ever after to me.

19 comments:

TheChieftess said...

One of my favorite little houses in SoPas...a charmer for sure!!!

Judy Williams said...

I absolutely ADORE this!!! The opposing red and green couldn't be more perfect. I love the layout of the landscaping too. Those windows have kind of an arts and crafts feel to them, even though this little gem has a different architectural style. I like how the grass at the bottom and the tree at the top frame out the whole scene nicely.

Anonymous said...

I've never noticed this one before. Beautiful.

Laurie Allee said...

Isn't this the sweetest house? My picture doesn't do it justice -- that little slope of the roof over the door is what reminds me of storybook houses, but also the color of that paint is richer than my high contrast, shot-at-noon image conveys.

I could devote an entire blog to a picture a day of South Pas houses and have enough material to continue for years.

Shanna said...

Reeally darling!
I was not familiar with the term Storybook design before. It sure is!

Pasadena Adjacent said...

I was surprised to find "storybook design" as a wikki style and it has me curious. There are several houses (on one block) that look like the wikki design in my area of SP adjacent "Garvanza"
I'm also curious about that intricate and complicated roofs that are depicted on the Hanzel and Gretal homes. Several examples are in SP adjacent Alhambra in the hood west of Costco

Laurie Allee said...

PA and Shanna, there is one in BEverly HIlls that is pretty famous. I think it might be listed in that WIki article.

I first heard about Storybook houses in San Francisco. A friend there showed me a collection of photos from around Oakland, I believe. Hansel and Gretel for sure. I think the official term is Provincial Revivalism, but it has been a while since I've had a design history class.

Oleg K. said...

I love the bright outline around the door. It's jambin' (I know..I know..)

Mister Earl said...

There are a couple of house/ apartment buildings in Berkeley that always intrigued me. At 1806 and 1830 Spruce if you're looking at Google Maps Street View, east side of the street. I also like that little house with the turret and spiral chimney in South Pas on El Centro near Adeline, although it doesn't quite make it to storybook and the garage remodel weakens the charm a little.

Brenda's Arizona said...

No kidding, this does look like a storybook cottage! Thanks for having a link to the descriptive page. I want to sit the rest of day and imagine the stories going on here...

Anonymous said...

Oh gosh, now I feel like washing my windows. And sweeping. Maybe doing some weeding...

Laurie Allee said...

Well, Hiker, do all that cleaning only if you enlist the help of all the surrounding woodland creatures. Then you'd really make it a Storybook house... (And remember, whistle while you work!)

Mister E, I remember my friend mentioning places in Berkeley, too. I thought the style was so cool. Still do!

Ah Oleg. :-)

Thanks, everyone!

TheChieftess said...

Cleaning the computer as I write...I would love to see Altadena Hiker with all the woodland creatures cleaning house!!! I would be whistling!!! (and I can't whistle!!!)
But honestly AH...clean houses are definitely overrated!!!

Anonymous said...

Oh, I loved those scenes. And even the brooms would sweep themselves.

Diana said...

The ribbon of window on either side of the door and the shingling mark this as a Craftsman house. The little eyebrow above the front door and the cute dormer on the upper right are also classic Craftsman elements. Doesn't stop it from being a storybook, though!

Anonymous said...

This is an interesting house. The curving roof over the door is vaguely Tudor, which shows up in the Storybook houses. The slant roof is Craftsman but the lack of overhanging porch is definitely not, especially for California.

This house looks like it might have started as a Craftsman and been modified to look more like an English cottage.

I always appreciate your pictures, Laurie. I want to learn more about Storybook design.

Laurie Allee said...

I live in a house that is a hybrid of a couple of design elements. It was built in 1900 and I love its quirks and combination of styles. Maybe that's why I love this little cottage so much, too!

sam b. said...

definitely an interesting combo when you really look at it. The narrow banded windows are english cottage style and not craftsman.Same goes for that rounded door and matching roofline.this would fit right into a storybook neighborhood in Norther Cal. I love the craftsman sloping roof here but it is odd without the porch like the previous commenter noted. Nice find!

kim23 said...

interesting house! This storybook house looks like the Witch's House from Beverly Hills. The house is not open to the public and its owner is a real estate agent, Michael Libow.